On a recent trip to Nashville, I got lost while driving back to my hotel. I missed a turn and rather than recalculating a new route, the GPS simply said “proceed to the route”. I tried to correct my mistake, but failed. For nearly 20 minutes I tried and failed, all the while hearing the GPS tell me to proceed to the route.
Finally, I pulled over to think. (If you’re going to have an epiphany, the parking lot of the YMCA in Nashville is as good a place as any, I guess.)
I knew where I was (the YMCA), I knew where I had to go (Rosa L. Parks Blvd) and I had the tools I needed to get there (a GPS). So why wasn’t it working?
The problem was with me; or rather, with my lack of knowledge of Nashville roads and experience navigating them. I got out of the car, surveyed the streets and discovered another route to Rosa L. Parks Blvd. This time, the way was clear and when I turned onto 10th Cir N, Google Maps recalculated directions.
Whether we’re driving a car or building a writing career, knowing where we need to go and getting there can be two very different things. It’s ok to stop, re-evaluate what we’re doing, and plot a new course. Once we do, we can proceed to the route.
